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School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

“Eka, a Black and Japanese girl growing up in Tokyo and New York City, relishes tales of y kai, or supernatural creatures. On the eve of her return to the U.S., she imagines taking part in a glorious night parade through the streets of Tokyo. Accompanied by her faithful dog and friendly kappa, a froglike spirit, she dons her kitsune, or fox-spirit costume, and joins the singing, prancing y kai parading through the moonlit streets…Based on Takahashi’s own experience of growing up amid two cultures, this lively tale grows pensive as Eka wistfully thinks of the distance between her two homes, family, and friends.’
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

Tokyo Night Parade

Written by J.P. Takahashi
Illustrated by Minako Tomigahara
Published by HarperCollins Publishers

The night parade is about to begin . . . The ground thunders in Tokyo. A gust of wind blows. The pitter-patter of paws and claws draws closer. The air is thick with swirling, swooping demons. It’s Eka’s favorite evening of the year, the one night she refuses to miss. But it’s become harder to travel to Japan now that she’s living across the world in New York.

Unsure of when she can return next to see her yokai friends, Eka tries to forget that this could be her last parade for some time. Instead, she’ll march, sing, dance, hoot, and screech until sunrise. Because on this night, there’s no time to waste—the night parade awaits.

Primary ISBN: 9780063224964
Publication Date: October 2024
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Japan (Tokyo)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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